by Rita Sawyer
She froze. Not just her movements, but her brain, too. All she could do was stare at him in total awe.
“Hi.” His voice was low and rougher than she’d ever heard it.
“Hi.” Her reply came out in a breathless whisper.
Neither of them moved. She looked into his eyes, and all her fears seemed so silly. He’d come to her. After everything that happened, he was there. Karen’s emotions got the better of her, and a few big fat tears escaped and rolled down her cheek. The next thing she knew, she was wrapped in Blue’s arms, crushed to his chest. She inhaled deeply, trying to get herself under control.
The sexy, sporty scent she feared she’d never smell again tickled her nose. A tingle of desire surged throughout her body. She blew the breath out, knowing what she had to do next. Karen eased back just enough to look up at him.
Blue didn’t give her a chance to make the next move. He lowered his head, crushing her lips under his. She gave him the entry he demanded, parting her lips. Their tongues stroked, teased, and tormented until Karen thought she would crumple into a heap at his feet.
“Baby, I missed you.” He squeezed her tighter. “A lot.”
“Me, too. Actually, I was just coming to see you,” she confessed, wanting them to be on even footing so they could work things out. “I was afraid you wouldn’t want to see me.”
“I’ve had time to calm down and think things over.”
“And enough time to get over me, us.”
“I meant it when I said I love you. There’s no getting over that.”
She nervously curled her fingers into his shirt. “I love you, too. I think that’s what freaked me out.”
“Then you know love doesn’t die just because someone acts like an idiot.” His tone and smile hinted that he was using the term loosely.
“I’m sorry I…” He covered her mouth with a finger, making it impossible for her to finish.
“I meant me, not you.”
“Blue?”
“Listen, we’re going to talk. Actually, you’re going to talk, and I’m going to listen. I didn’t do that last time, and I’ve regretted it every second we were apart.”
Karen felt her eyes get moist and hoped she wouldn’t burst into tears until she got everything off her chest. “Why don’t we go inside and talk?”
Blue nodded. He held her against his side as they walked to her door. Once inside, he scooped her up and carried her down the short hall to her bed. He dropped her on the bed and stood there looking down at her.
“I know what we both want to happen, and trust me, everything in me is urging me to get you naked as fast as possible. The thing is, we really do need to work this out first.”
She was glad one of them had some willpower. “I was scared of how much you made me feel so fast. I kept asking myself if we were making a huge mistake. I didn’t want to hurt you, and I didn’t want you to hurt me. I just wanted some time to think things over. I got it, but not the way I wanted.”
“You never were embarrassed by me. I knew that, but I thought the problem had to be with me. Not you. And I’m sure I didn’t help by making you feel like I was rushing you into making more of a commitment than you were ready for.”
“You didn’t mean to.”
“Actually, maybe subconsciously I did. My parents died young, and I think it changed me somehow. I’m not one of those crazy need to do it before it’s too late types, but when I see something I really, really want I don’t hold back, either.”
“But we have plenty of time.”
“I’m sure my parents thought the same thing. Time is precious. You never really know how much you have. I knew what I felt for you and trusted it. I didn’t want to waste any more time than we had to, because I know you’re the woman for me.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that, because I have a huge request.”
“So quickly.”
“I know, but when I told my parents I had fallen in love they were so happy for me. Then I had to break it to them that I may have already lost you, because I was too afraid to trust in what I felt. My mother said if we did work things out, I should bring you to dinner soon.”
“You want me to meet your parents?”
“Yes, I do, but I’d actually like to bring your brother and sisters too.”
“Meeting the families is a really huge step.”
She got to her feet and walked over to him. “It’s a commitment I’m willing to make.”
“Me, too.” Blue’s eyes gleamed as he smiled and started to lower his head.
“Blue, we can’t do this right now.” Though she really, really wanted to.
“Why not?” His eyebrows rose slightly with the question.
“I have to be at Lainey’s in about fifteen minutes. If I don’t show, my friends are going to come here looking for me.”
“And finding me here would cause trouble?”
“Hell, no. They’d be thrilled to finally get their hands on you. I think it would be better if we showed up there together and showed them we worked everything out without their interference.”
“You love them.” It meant so much to her that Blue could see how much her friends mattered in her life.
“They’re all part of my family. Loving me means you get them, too.”
“If I go and play nice, can we come back here after so I can have my way with you?”
“Damn straight. And since it’s your night off, I’d love it if you’d spend it in my bed. We have lost time to make up for.”
“How could a guy turn down an offer like that?” Blue opened the door and followed her through the house.
“If he loves me, he can’t.” She let him tuck her against his side again, and as they walked to the car she slipped her hand in his back pocket and gave his ass a squeeze.
“Then I guess we know what our plans for the night are.” He led her to his truck and helped her in.
After Blue slid in behind the wheel, Karen pulled him to her and gave him a kiss she hoped turned him on as much as it did her. “I love you, too.”
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rita Sawyer writes contemporary romances. Her stories vary in heat level from sweet to sizzling, but hopefully all have a hint of humor. She grew up in Massachusetts.
More about Rita and her books can be found at www.RitaSawyer.com.
Readers can contact her at [email protected].
For all titles by Rita Sawyer, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/rita-sawyer
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
