Commitment Phobia (Journey Back Home 1)

by Rachel Gilberts

THE DAY BEFORE the planned departure to Florida, Erica's mom, step-father, and Peter's parents surprised them with a small barbecue party at Erica's house.

  All the family and some of their friends from high school were there. Since they would be gone the entire summer, their families wanted a sendoff celebration.

  What they were doing was a big step on so many levels; more so for Erica, but for Peter as well.

  There were presents that were things they would need on their trip that they either hadn't thought of or were too busy to consider or obtain themselves. There was even a big "Bon Voyage" cake that was white cake with chocolate frosting - Erica's favorite.

  Afterwards, everyone hugged and cried, but the excitement for the upcoming trip was heightened.

  After the party, Erica was helping clean up when she approached her step-father and asked if they could go for a walk and talk.

  She wanted to tell him that, even though she had been preoccupied of late with meeting her older brothers and was going off with her boyfriend, she would always love and respect him as her father.

  "My only father," she told him.

  They held each other tightly and her step-father whispered in her ear, "I'm so very proud of you Erica. I just don't want you to get hurt, even though sometimes we have to get hurt to grow."

  Where had she heard that before?

  That night, she knocked on her brother's door; he was playing video games or doing whatever 13-year-old boys do behind closed doors. She really didn't need to know.

  "I just wanted to tell you I'm going to miss you, little man. Will you e-mail me every day and tell me what's going on here at home?"

  "No," he replied. "How about once a week?"

  "Deal!" she said and gave him a high five.

  "They're your half-brothers, too? Just like me?" he asked.

  "Yep," she answered, "but I don't know them like I know you."

  "Well, they better be good to you or I'll come there and kick their asses," Johnny said with emotion.

  That's when Erica started to cry again.

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  Read the next book by Rachel Gilberts:

  If you like this book, you will also like Of Dreams And Sins...

  HE IS DAMAGED...

  A DOCTOR WHO CANNOT HEAL HIS OWN WOUNDS

  Eric Collins isn’t an innocent about life’s challenges. He has been through several serious relationships. He even married – thrice. But an important relationship in his past has scarred him long before he can learn to fight, and he doesn’t know how to heal his own wounds.

  Eric has had a lonely childhood. His mother made his life like hell. His first marriage to Kathy is almost like his relationship with his mother. But when Kathy dies delivering his second son, he carried the weight of his guilt into the next marriage.

  Eileen is a beautiful woman inside and out – she is in fact much more than what he feels he deserves. This time, he knows he is entering into a marriage of love. In spite of the odds, they are able to make the marriage work.

  Only in the beginning.

  When Eric’s issues start to pester him again, he is given to temptation that proves how damaged he is to any woman worth keeping.

  And it is his undoing, locking Eileen and their unborn child into an unforgiving chain of pain, sadness and distrust. And noone knew when – or how – they can all be freed.

  Unravel more of this fascinating book. Continue reading Of Dreams And Sins...

  ~ ~ ~ ~

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  Wrong Number

  Devon wakes up to the news that her husband was involved in an accident that left his wrecked car at the bottom of the river, with no body to be found. Followed by a series of mysterious phone calls asking for Dan that send chills down Devon's spine, she knows something just isn't right. But the worst is yet to come...

  * * *

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  Wrong Number

  Finally! Devon thought as she sat down on the couch in her new apartment.

  Moving was never easy, but she had done it so many times now that it was becoming somewhat of a routine. However, this time it was different. She wasn't going to be moving again in the near future, if ever. It had taken a while to save the money she needed, but now she had her very own book shop. Even better, her spacious apartment was right over the shop, which meant that she had everything she needed conveniently within reach.

  The first order of business had been to get her belongings moved into the apartment. Tomorrow, Devon would begin unpacking boxes and stocking the shelves of her shop with the help of Janina, the girl she had hired to help her. Together, she hoped that they would be able to get most of it all done within a couple of days. She really wanted to have her grand opening by the end of the week. Saturdays were usually excellent days to hold them because people would be looking for something to do on the weekends.

  Devon had planned it all out beautifully. She did her research and found that this tiny coastal town on the east coast would be the perfect location for her book shop. Crystal Cove was small enough to be quaint, but large enough that tourists visiting nearby beach resorts would be able to find it easily enough. In fact, tourism was a large part of the town's income. When she found Crystal Cove, it boasted one casual dining restaurant, one fine dining restaurant, a Victorian bed and breakfast as well as a small but elegant inn. There were other necessary businesses in town but there was no book shop. That's where Devon came in.

  She was going to be selling all sorts of books. There would be sections for romances, mysteries, occult, research materials, and even a children's section. That was going to be set up as a story time area. Her favorite part, though, was in the back of the shop. That's where Devon would be offering Tarot readings in a private and specially decorated area. No one had to know that her information came from sources that had nothing to do with the Tarot. She had been playing that off for years so that people didn't become afraid of her and her abilities.

  Well, Devon thought. I can't just sit here daydreaming. I've got to get busy. Her electricity, water, and landline phone were all turned on and she could now stay here. The movers were due to arrive in a few hours to bring in her furniture. One thing at a time, she thought. She got up and started to do some cleaning and measuring so that she would know where she could put what.

  This is going to be amazing, Devon thought. Dan would have loved it. No, I'm not going to think about him right now. It's only going to make me sad and I can't afford to get depressed right now. She went into her sunny kitchen and grabbed a diet soda from the refrigerator. Stocking the refrigerator had been something she had had the foresight to do. She would get her bed set up and at least be able to eat something in her own home tonight.

  Just as she popped the top on the soda, her phone rang. Startled, she nearly spit out her swallow of diet coke. It had to be a wrong number, she thought as she went back into the living room to answer the phone. Picking up the phone, she said a cautious but cheery "Hello." At first, no one said anything.

  "Hi, is anyone there?" Devon said.

  "Hi," a deep male voice said. "I guess I must have the wrong number. I was trying to get in touch with Dan, but you're obviously not him."

  "Dan?" A little unpleasant shock ran through Devon's body. "How do you know Dan?" "Hey, I'm really sorry for bothering you."

  Before she could say anything else, her caller had hung up. She checked the caller ID and saw Unknown Number registered there. How odd, she thought. There wasn't enough time left to dwell on it, though, because at that moment, the movers
pulled up. She was distracted for the next couple of hours with supervising the unloading of her furniture and boxes of things.

  As she had promised herself, Devon got her bed set up and a path cleared so that she could eat a simple dinner in her very own kitchen. She nibbled on a salad and an avocado and bacon sandwich when she remembered the odd phone call from earlier. That really had to be a coincidence, she thought. It did make her miss Dan even more than ever. That feeling was especially bad at night. She tended to remember the way he used to make her body absolutely sing with pleasure. No man had ever been able to do that for her before or since. In fact, Devon was pretty much afraid that she would never meet another man that would do that to her.

  Suddenly, she realized just how tired she was. She got up and changed into her pajama pants and spaghetti strap t-shirt. Washing her face and brushing her teeth completed the bedtime ritual for tonight. She slipped into her bed and turned out the lamp on her nightstand. Just as she was dozing off, her telephone started to ring. Fortunately, she had an extension sitting on her nightstand so all she had to do was reach over and pick it up.

  "Hello," she said.

  "Hi, is Dan there?" came the same male voice from earlier.

  "It's you again," Devon said accusatorially. "Who is this and what do you want?" "Oops, I've got a wrong number again! So sorry!" And with that, the connection was broken.

  Dammit! Now, Devon would never be able to get to sleep. What the hell was going on? Was someone trying to play some sort of joke on her? If so, it was a very cruel one and she didn't appreciate it. Dan was gone and he wasn't ever going to come back. She had only recently begun to accept that and now, some asshole was trying to rattle her cage. Of course, she could be crazy. It could just be that it was an honest mistake. Dan was a pretty common name, after all.

  Common, however, was the last word that would ever have described her Dan. Laying back onto her pillow, she could see his tousled black hair, high cheekbones, blue green eyes and sexy sideways smile. God, how she missed him! No one was ever going to take his place and she knew it. Her body still missed him every night. Even right now, when she was tired and hot, her body wanted Dan to be touching her, kissing her, and making love to her. Finally, she turned over on her side and went to sleep with a single tear sliding down her cheek.

  "Wake up, sweetheart. Devon, open your eyes and look at me."

  "Mmm but it's so wonderful to lay here like this with you, Dan. Do we really have to get up now?"

  "Yes, darling. I would love nothing more than to hold you in my arms all day, but now isn't the time. There's something I must tell you and it's important that you pay attention."

  "Of course, Dan, I'm listening. What is it?"

  "You need to be careful. I can't protect you from where I am but you need to know that you're in danger."

  "Danger? Who on earth wants to hurt me?"

  "Shhh, don't speak. I'll tell you everything."

  There was a ringing sound in Devon's ears suddenly. She was trying so hard to hold Dan's face in her mind but he was fading very quickly. The ringing became louder and more insistent. Devon's eyes flew open. She realized that the telephone was ringing on her nightstand. The sun was shining brightly and streaming through the partially opened curtains. Her bedside clock read 8:35 AM. Who the hell could be calling her at this hour? Reaching over, she lifted the phone and mumbled into it.

  "Good morning, is Dan there, please?"

  This again! She didn't even bother trying to carry on a conversation. Simply disconnecting the call would have to do. Devon didn't have the time, patience or energy for this. However, she was awake now and had a full day ahead of her. A shower sounded great to her at that moment so she got out of bed and padded into the bathroom.

  Minutes later, she was stripped and standing under the refreshing spray of water. Picking up the tube of shower gel, she squirted some into her hand and started to move her soapy hands over her body. As she passed over her full breasts, the unexpected stimulation caused her to emit a gasp. She had lost count of how long it had been since she had experienced any sort of sexual pleasure. Her toys had even been neglected because she just hadn't felt the need for them. Now, however, as she absently lightly pinched her nipples, she felt a jolt of sexual electricity move through her body.

  Closing her eyes, she continued to tease her nipples until the ache had moved directly to her clit. Without seeming to be aware of her actions, Devon slid one hand down over her stomach to her nether region. With a single minded motion, she parted the folds that revealed her clit that stood out like a tiny erect cock. Stroking it only brought her a more exquisite and torturous need for release. As she continued, that special sensation started to creep over her before slamming into her violently. Devon cried out as she rode her hand, moving the other one down so that she could slip two fingers deep inside of her soaking and spasming pussy. Just as she was coming down from that orgasm, she felt it rising inside her again. Before she returned to herself, Devon had reached a total of four intense orgasms. Now, she was weak and her legs were barely holding her up. Giving into the afterglow of the moment, she slid down the shower walls and sat under the cascading water.

  Well, she thought. I suppose that was inevitable. After all, I'm still young and healthy, and it has been quite a while since I allowed myself to have any physical pleasure. Dan wouldn't want me to deny myself. This is probably good for me and will help me clear my mind because I really need to think about that very odd dream I was having before the phone rang.

  Devon finished showering and dressed in faded jeans and a spaghetti strap tank top. It was going to be rather warm today while she and Janina worked in the shop. That reminded her that she needed to be sure that the air conditioning was turned on. Otherwise, they were going to be sweating all over the books. After putting a on a pot of French Vanilla coffee, she toasted a bagel and covered it in cream cheese. This was, sometimes, her favorite part of the day. It had always been so very special for Dan and her.

  Thinking of Dan brought the memory of her dream back to her. There was something that he had wanted to tell her. That part of the dream she remembered very clearly. It was something about her being in danger and he wasn't going to be able to protect her. Dreams can be very strange events. She did remember how real it felt, though. She could still see Dan's beautiful blue green eyes gazing into her big brown ones. I really didn't want to wake up, she thought. Maybe I should read on it later.

  Of course, now it was time to get to work. She had a new life here in Crystal Cove and she wanted to be sure that it got off to a great start. Carrying her coffee downstairs, she entered the box filled shop. Just as she walked into the main part of the shop, Janina knocked on the window at the door and waved at her. Hiring her is one the best decisions I've made, Devon thought, smiling and waving back. She went over and unlocked the door to let Janina inside.

  "Hi there, you're right on time!" exclaimed Devon. "Would you like some coffee? I made some just before coming downstairs." "Oh that sounds great! But don't worry; I'll go up and get a cup myself."

  "Ok, but be careful. Everything is still sort of a disaster area." Janina's long, toned legs quickly jogged up the stairs that led to Devon's apartment. She was back in no time holding a large mug of coffee. The two women discussed where they needed to focus first and got started with the unpacking and arranging. Time flew by and they didn't stop until it was nearly 2:30 PM. They had started making quite a dent in the work that needed to be done.

  "Ok, let's take a break," Devon announced. "I'm actually hungry and pretty thirsty. I can't believe you didn't say anything!"

  "Not me," laughed Janina. "I didn't even notice how much time went by."

  "Let's go upstairs and dig around in my fridge for lunch. Then, we'll work a little longer."

  As they got to the stop of the stairs, they could hear Devon's landline ringing. She opened the door quickly and ran inside, grabbing the phone in mid-ring. With a breathl
ess "Hello," Devon listened to the silence on the other end of the phone. Repeating herself, she listened intently to see if there was really anyone on the other end of the line.

  "Yes, hello, is Dan available?"

  "You again. Look, how many times do you need to call this number to understand that it's a wrong number? There is no Dan here, as I've told you every other time you have called here!"

  "Oh, so sorry to have troubled you."

  Devon slammed the phone back on the table with a curse. Janina looked at her quizzically. She supposed she should give Janina an explanation. So she told her about this man that kept calling and asking for Dan.

  "Dan? But isn't that the name of..?" "Yes, it is." Devon answered curtly.

  "Ah, well I can see why you would be so upset. But, you know, it's probably just a really awful coincidence. Try not to let it get to you. It's a new number so give it a little time. You're probably going to have a few other wrong numbers before it levels off."

  "Yes, I know, you're probably right. Come on, let's raid the fridge. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some food and something to drink!"

  That night, Devon decided to go out for dinner and just relax. She asked Janina to go with her to Bon Appetit, a great little restaurant just down the street from the book shop. It was quiet and the food was excellent. She felt it was just the place to unwind after her busy day. Besides, they had accomplished quite a lot that day.

  As Devon and Janina chatted over two plates of shrimp pasta, salad, fresh baked bread and some great wine, Devon felt herself starting to relax for the first time in weeks. They were chatting about the shop and what they planned to accomplish the next day. At the end of the meal, they decided they wanted some of the restaurant's bread pudding for dessert.

  Devon stretched back in her chair as she surveyed the ruins of their meal. Patting her stomach, she groaned.

  "I'm so full I can barely move," she said.

  Janina was laughing at her, but she was also moving pretty slowly.

  "Hey, I doubt that you've eaten a decent meal during this entire move. It's good for you!"

  "Yeah, good for me but not my budget when I have to replace my entire wardrobe with larger clothes!"