Endless Fear
Page 27
“Until the trial.” April tilted her head and closed her eyes, savoring the delicious feel of his warm hands. A small moan slipped between her parted lips. “Won’t that hurt your chances of becoming mayor and Thane’s of being elected State Representative?”
“Don’t worry about Thane.” His voice rasped with desire, and, too late, Spencer realized his mistake in touching her. But he couldn’t bring himself to stop caressing her arms, her hands, couldn’t squelch the ache he felt to kiss her sweet mouth. “No one outside the family will ever learn of the affair with Lily. And knowing my brother’s luck and charm, all the hoopla will work to his advantage.”
April’s breath quickened. “But will the citizens of Bellingham want a mayor with such a checkered background?”
“If they do, they’ll have to look elsewhere. I’ve withdrawn my bid for mayor.”
A soft gasp escaped her. “Why?”
“Because I’m sick and tired of smiling at people until my face hurts in order to get votes. I don’t want to do that for the rest of my life.” Spencer’s pulse raced as he brashly lifted a hand to her temple and gently traced the curve of her cheek. “And thanks to you I’m not going to.”
“I don’t understand.” Like a cat being stroked by its master, she stretched her face toward his petting hand. “What did I do?”
“These past weeks you’ve made me realize I’d been stumbling through my life—not living it.” Incautiously, he’d massaged the sides of her neck with his thumbs.
The effect on April was dizzying. “What career are you planning to pursue?”
“Something better suited to my ‘blunt honesty’ as you call it. I’m going to dust off my law degree and look at my options. I’d like to be a prosecutor.”
April couldn’t believe what she was hearing. All the obstacles to their having a future together were gone, and yet he hadn’t said a word about wanting her in his life. “You’d make a good prosecutor.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Yes.” She brushed a strand of his coffee-brown hair from his forehead, knowing she would miss this man more than she could bear. Something in his intense gray eyes froze the thought. She’d been blind not to see it. Desire, a trace of fear, and… Yes! Her heart reeled. Spencer loved her. She nearly laughed with joy.
April caught his face gently in both hands and lifted her mouth to his. A startled moan escaped him, but he leaned into the kiss, obviously enjoying her tender assault. Passion stirred deep inside April.
Too soon, Spencer broke the heady spell, gripping her by both of her upper arms and holding her just far enough away to ask, “What about Karl?”
“Karl? What has Karl got to do with us?”
“I thought… He said…”
“If you can’t judge a person better than this, how do you expect to be a good prosecutor?” Freeing one hand, she traced his mouth with her fingertip. “I love you, Spence.”
A heartfelt sigh broke from his grinning lips and he gathered her into his arms, hugging her so possessively, April could barely breath. She didn’t care.
“April, do you have any idea how long I’ve waited to hear you say that?”
“As long as I’ve waited to say it.”
“Oh, God, I love you.” Starting at her chin, he began kissing every curve and valley of her face with a slow, mind-boggling thoroughness. He had almost lost her twice already. Never again. “We are going to make this legal, aren’t we?”
April felt as though her heart would explode with happiness. “Absolutely counselor,” she answered, sliding her arms around his neck, and pulling his lips back to hers.
One again Spencer pulled away. “Before Thane and Vanessa—as soon as possible?”
“Uh huh.” Her voice was as thick as the desire coursing in her veins.
Their open mouths welded in abandon, tongues touching, tasting, savoring. His hands drew sensuous paths across her back, her waist, her breasts, stirring a honeyed torture inside her that begged to be fulfilled. She tugged his shirttails free and began undoing the buttons.
Again Spencer pulled away. “This isn’t right… You aren’t ready… Someone might come in…” His objections seemed ridiculous in light of the desire glazing his eyes. “We should wait—”
“Wait? Wait!” April caught him by the shirtfront and drew him so close his heated breath mingled with her own.
“First you had to wait for me to grow up.”
Loosening the remaining buttons, she slipped the shirt from his shoulders and down his arms. “Then you had to wait for me to get well.”
She rubbed her hands across his lightly haired chest and down his flat stomach. He groaned in obvious pleasure. “Well, I’m all well…and in case you hadn’t noticed—”
She reached for the waist band of his trousers and tipped her mouth to his. “—All grown up.”
“I noticed—” His voice was ragged as he gave the blankets separating them an impatient tug.
“I’ve waited a lifetime for you.” April scooted lower on the pillows and opened her arms to him. “And I’m not willing to wait another minute.”
A wicked smile lifted the corner of Spencer’s mouth. “In that case—I’ve better manners than to keep a lady waiting.”
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To my readers
My stories are pure escapism, meant for the entertainment of my readers. Thank you for purchasing and reading my books. You are the reason I write. ~ Adrianne Lee
About the Author
I love mysteries and romance and hotrod cars. I write on a laptop, in my recliner with our adopted cat, Spooky, asleep on my lower legs. Spooky is an affectionate, black fur-ball with yellow eyes, and though her name reflects her coloring, it was chosen for the fact that everything spooks her. It’s a good thing she can’t read my stories.
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