Homecoming
Page 20
No. None of that mattered. Why? Because she’d been too chicken-shit to say anything to him.
Lying here with her life fading away, she wished she’d gone after what she wanted. Who cares if she crashed and burned? At least she would have tried. With the way he eyeballed her whenever she stepped outside of her house, she didn’t think he would’ve pushed her away.
“Can you talk? Ebony! Sweetheart, open your eyes for me.” His rough voice called out to her. The tone strained with something akin to fear.
She tried to respond. Oh, how she tried to say something—do something—but her throat was clogged from her tears and lids were too heavy to lift. Ebony fought against the darkness threatening to take her away. Consolidating all her strength into the one movement, she focused her gaze on the man hovering above her.
“Hey, Beautiful. There you are. Keep those gorgeous browns open for me. Can you do that? An ambulance is on the way, but I need you to stay with me. Okay?” Taking off his shirt, he rolled it up and placed it under her head. “Who did this to you?” At her silence, he continued. “Ebony, talk to me. Is this related to your job?”
Licking her lips, she managed to squeak out a response. “Don’t… know.”
“It’s okay. I’m here. I can hear the sirens now.” Her eyes began to close again, but his hand cradled her face. “Stay with me. Open those eyes for me, sweetheart. Just a little bit longer.” Looking up from her, he began speaking to others who’d started crowding around.
“Yes, the ambulance was called. They’ll be here soon. No, I don’t know what happened. Just move back a little.”
Of course, while she lay here hoping someone would come to help her, not a person was in sight. Now that her hunky, drop-dead sexy neighbor had shown up, everyone had come out of the woodworks. Figures.
Turning his green gaze back to her, he stared at her face as if memorizing her features. Ebony marveled at just how good looking he was. Dark hair covered his head and face, giving him a rough edge. She could tell, even beneath it all, that his chin was firm, strong. His lips were perfectly shaped, with just enough thickness to make kissing him an absolute pleasure.
His upper body was broad, his chest and arms sculpted with muscles on top of muscles. Cole was much taller than her as well, at least six feet four inches. For her, standing five feet ten inches in socks, he was the perfect height. She’d pictured herself climbing him like a spider-monkey a few times. If only she’d had the chance to get a taste of him before meeting her maker. Shit was just unfair.
Smiling down at her, he spoke again, “They’re pulling up now. Keep those eyes on me a little longer.”
Ebony struggled a bit. Being strong was all well and good, but she didn’t want to be in that ambulance alone. Not today. Today, she needed someone by her side. Cole had just been selected for the job.
As if reading her mind, he rubbed a hand down her arm. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m here. Hell,” he gave a low laugh, “I’d wanted to know you better but not like this.” Glancing over his shoulder, he waved his hand in the air. “All right, sweetheart, I need to let the paramedics take care of you. Don’t worry. I’m only stepping back for a minute.”
Cole moved away to allow the professionals to step closer. She wanted to hold his hand, pull him back to her. Ebony didn’t want to let him go. It was the first time in her life she needed someone to be there for her.
“Cole,” she managed to whisper. “Please. Don’t go.”
* * * * *
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About the Author
Reana Malori is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary romance focusing on Multicultural / Interracial couples. She firmly believes that love in all its forms should be celebrated and her stories reflect that belief. She hopes to weave stories that pull the reader into her world and helps them to share in her universe, even if only for a short time.
An avid reader since the age of fourteen, she decided to pursue her passion in 2009 and released her first novella, To Love a Marine. Since then, she has released more than 30 books of varying lengths, to include Weekend Fling, Escape to Heaven, Finding Faith, Conall and Flawless.
When not writing, you can most often find her enjoying a good book as she is, first and foremost, a romance reader. Reana currently resides in Montclair, Virginia with her husband and two sons who keep her busy laughing, having fun, and making sure she doesn’t take herself too seriously.
Love and Hugs,
Reana Malori ♥
Also by Reana Malori
Available at Your Favorite Online Retailer
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Claiming Lana
Closer to You
Conall (Irish Sugar)
Falling Into Love (w/ Janet Eckford)
Finding Faith
Flawless (F’d Up Fairy Tales)
Losing Control
Promise Me
Queen of Spades (The Player’s Club)
Raven’s Crown (The Royal Court)
Salvation: The Italian's Story
Secret Devotion
Spellbound
Stay (Naughty Nanny)
Stay With Me
Tangled Lies
The Long Shot
Three Wishes
To Love a Marine
Unwrapping a Marriage (w/ Michel Prince)
What Matters Most
Workout Partners
Angel Hearts
Dark Angel (Book 1)
Broken Angel (Book 2)
Heaven on Earth
Escape to Heaven
Redemption
Sacrifice
Homecoming
Lady Guardians
Forgiven (Book 1)
Persuade Me (Book 2)
Second Chances
Second Chances (Book 1)
Renewal (Book 2)
Weekend Lovers
Weekend Fling
Weekend Rendezvous
Short Stories (10k Words)
Accepting the Dragon
Dinner for Three (MMF)
Hidden Depths
Holiday Desire
Whip Appeal
Wicked Nights
A Collection of Sexy Shorts
Change of Heart
Need You Tonight
Night in Heaven
Praline Dreams
Shadow Mates
Taylor’s Gift