The drive home
gave her time to think.
Now that Dee was out of danger, Annalee could consider her advice.
Don’t be afraid to love.
Yes, Dee knew her all right. But there was more to it than that.
It was Eric who’d called her on it. Her anger. She hated Denny for what he’d put her through. But deep down, she hated herself even more. For letting it go on so long. Knowing, yet refusing to acknowledge, how he was cheating on her. Playing dumb. Playing the fool. What for? Because she wanted to live up to her vows? Or because she was afraid to start over?
By focusing all her rage on Denny, she never had to ponder her own complicity.
She glanced at her rearview mirror. Eric was there, right behind her, as he promised. He had her back. A man like Eric would always keep his promises, always be there for her.
A man like Eric.
God, Annalee. How stupid are you? How long are you going to hold on to the past?
She wanted someone she could trust. Someone kind and decent, who kept his word.
A man like Eric.
What are you going to do, genius, pine away for a pale substitute when you can have the real thing?
She pulled into her driveway while he rolled up to the curb to make sure she got inside safely. But when she got out of her car, instead of going to her door, she walked down the driveway and around the front of his car. She tapped on his driver’s side window. “Would you walk me to my door?”
He was polite, but distant, his face unreadable. “Sure.”
At her door, instead of reaching for her keys, she reached for him. She brushed her lips against his, exactly as she had done twelve years ago on her parents’ doorstep. And just as he had done back then, he slipped his arms around her, pulling her close.
Their kiss deepened. She opened her mouth to his tongue and stroked his in return. As she drew back at last to catch her breath, her heel caught on a rough patch on the concrete stoop. The sky tilted and her arms spun as she toppled backward.
There was no honeysuckle bush to soften her fall, but she didn’t land with a bone-crunching thud. Eric caught her around the waist and steadied her until she stood upright.
She clung to his lapels and laughed shakily. “Thanks. That’s not the first time you’ve saved me from falling flat on my ass.”
“I’ll always be there to catch you, Annalee.” His voice was a low rumble. “If you let me.”
She flung her arms around him.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured into his shoulder, her lips brushing the soft wool of his jacket. She looked up at him. “I’m so sorry.”
He gazed down at her. Even in the light of the street lamps, she saw the sadness in his eyes. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have blown up at you that night. I’ve had years to think about my feelings. I can’t expect you to—”
“You were right. I was stuck in my anger. When Denny came over and got in my face, I just felt so—” She shook her head. She didn’t want to talk about Denny. “But I brought you home because I wanted to be with
you
. That’s all.” She took a breath before she took the leap. “I want to be with you. I don’t deserve your love, but—”
She could say no more because he stopped her words with a kiss. Annalee gripped his shoulders. Her core grew soft and melty, her knees turned to pudding. When they broke the kiss, she blinked her blurry eyes.
“You deserve everything good, Annalee.”
It was all there in his face. He still loved her. Thank God. She laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes in relief.
Eric’s hold loosened. “Let’s get inside. It’s cold out here.”
She wasn’t cold. She was warm all over, being with him, knowing how much he cared. How much she cared for him. He’d been so brave, so honest with her. She’d been the coward. But no more.
No more fear. No more doubts.
She slipped her hand into Eric’s. From now on, she’d hold on tight. No letting go.
About the Author
Nona Raines became hooked on romances when she first picked up
The Flame and the Flower
by Kathleen Woodiwiss (and she’s not telling how long ago that was). Romances may have changed since then, but her love for a good love story has not. She’s been writing off and on for years, but when she joined the Central New York Romance Writers Association, she finally gained the support and confidence she needed to complete a manuscript.
Nona lives in upstate New York with her many pets and is currently working on her next novel. She is thrilled to be among the authors of The Wild Rose Press.
Visit Nona at
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and other Wild Rose Press authors, join us at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/thewildrosepress.
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publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.